BuffaloBass716

While throwing several plastic baits such as a kicker frog, ribbon tail worm, and craws for bass in a pond, they were getting torn up by blue gill (I think) they were ripping the legs and tails off of my baits. Anyone else have this problem? how should I counter these destructive sunnies. I did catch a few bass on the frog before they got to it, and caught a bluegill on the leg-less frog! haha.

I only have one spinning rod so I often change my approach with just one rod and reel. I keep a snap swivel on my main line and then clip on different rigs such as texas rig, dropshot rig, etc. Any body know a good way to keep them once you take them off without the line getting tangled on itself? Do you guys snap on different rigs too, or cut the line and start from scratch each time?

While I was fishing about a week ago, I struck up a conversation with another person fishing and he starting telling me about a stop that he found out from one of his buddies, he said it was a small pond, hidden from view from the busy street. It was about a half hour from where I live, so I looked it up on google earth to make sure it was really there. I came across 3 ponds within a 3 minute drive. I tried the pond that i believe he was talking about and didnt get a nibble (although I did see some blue gill). The next pond we tried was on private property so we got in the car and tried the last pond I seen on google earth. This pond was behind a grocery store, over a giant hill. I dont believe this was the pond the guy was talking about but I took a look around and decide just to throw a line in quick to see it anything was interested. I used a Berkley kicker frog because it was fairly heavy cover and as soon as that frog hit the water, a fish was on, literally a second. I was suprised and brought him in. tried again and bam! Another in 30 seconds. After 2 quick decent bass, I keep getting nibbles and started to realize that the fish were biting the legs off my frogs! I must have gotten over 50 nibbles and all three frogs ended up with no legs? Even took the end of a ribbon tail worm off. I got some big hits but couldnt get any more, although just before leaving, I caught a blue gill on what was left of my frog. Do sunfish bite off plastics a lot? this is the first time Ive had this happen, unless it was the bass biting them off? What ever it was, I wasnt expecting to catch anything because of this heat, especially in a pond. Just a fun story I thought I would share and get some info on my frog killer.

Its the thrill of not knowing what you are going to catch, the idea that you can catch fish with dozens of methods and baits and learning what the fish like. Its learning about the bass and then going out to experiment to see if it works. Fighting a stong fish, then holding them with your thumb and fingers, then releasing them...nothing beats it!

What are the ideal baits while drop-shoting for smallmouth from shore?

So, its been really hot in Ny for the past two weeks and the fishing has slowed to a hault (for largemouth). Im 75% sure its the heat that is affecting the bass. I havent seen anyone else catch anything either. Does the summer heat make the bass stop biting and move away? When will they be back?

No chance at going into the water. its a pretty fast current and its heavy boat activity. (you can see the river in my profile pic). While using a texas rig, should I reel over the weeds or let it fall to the bottom and pull through them? I dont know what the grass is called but there is multiple types too.

At ellicott creek do you fish at the spot with all the lily pad growing, connected with big pipes under a road? thats where I go, but it seemed to slow down the past few weeks. this spot -->http://goo.gl/maps/VcIq2

The river I fish in has become very clear lately, allowing alot of weeds and grass to really grow thick, also growing further out where it is deeper. I get a lot of weeds on my hook while reeling in and im not sure what to use for smallies in this type of water. I was thinking maybe a heavy drop shot with a fluke or goby bait? I need to get my bait very far from shore to try to get out of the cover.

How's the tift nature preserve? Ive always wanted to try over there. also, do you go for largemouth or smallmouth at fisherman's park? what worked well there

I have heard good things about them. haha

Ive only really had luck with plastic worms. I have some crawfish plastics but never got anything on them. What would be some good creature baits to start on for the summer months. also, I live up north so the hottest it gets is around 90 degrees F, but not often. thanks for the help.

Thanks for the ideas. Ill have to try out some new baits for that spot.

There's a spot I go fishing and there is usually other people there (sometimes 10) and its a small place. How much does the popularity of a spot with the high number of people affect the way the bass will bite? Do the bass remember the bait they've been caught on before? Ive been wondering this because it seems like the fish are not going after my bait anymore or maybe they are just not in the same spot? Im not sure but any thoughts?

Mostly use a 3-way swivel with some live bait.

both

Maybe spend around $70-$100. I use around a ounce for sinkers.

No ive never tried. Ive never used any hard plastics, I might give them a try though.

I leaning towards a 7' Medium action or something similar. Ill definitely look around. I target mostly bass, but I go for everything sometimes.

I mostly fish a river, there are alot of weeds close to shore but further out there is less and less because it gets much deeper. Id like to cast over most of the cover thats close to shore and since the river has a swift current, I use pretty heavy sinkers to help it stay on the bottom.

I want to get a new spinning rod & reel for next year, but im not really sure on what im buying. I only shore fish so id like something that can really cast far (maybe a 7' rod?) but I want something that can be fished with tons of different baits and lures and catch multiple species of fish, not just bass. I guess im trying to ask what would be a good rod and reel combo for all around fishing, being super versatile. I have no idea about the 'action' and gear ratio either. One last thing, I believe that you get what you pay for so Id like something thats not cheap, but not hundreds of dollars either. thanks for any advice!

Hey everyone! I live in the great lakes area, well known for Smallmouth. I am new to bass fishing and this is my first year learning and catching both small and largemouth. I fish from shore and im looking for new baits to use for smallies, something where I can cast out far past a lot of weeds and grass that grow close to shore. Looking around I know tube baits are a favorite, but Ive seen soft plastic goby baits too, and I know smallies love the invasive gobies. Id like to try those aswell. Does anyone know the best way to rig goby plastics? And any other help with favorite baits and rigs to use would be great!

Im having the same problem in a pond area I fish at. Its muddy water with lilly pads. somedays Ill catch a few, other days nothing. Ive used black senkos and ribbon tail worms, texas rigged. Try twitching them with long pauses, it might be a start.